Barristers
Law Society questions value of cab-rank rule
The Law Society has responded to a Bar Standards Board call for evidence on the cab-rank rule by questioning its “operational value”. A survey of solicitors who regularly use barristers found that only one person had actually invoked the rule.
Senior partner who became direct access barrister sets up alternative business structure
David Hassall, a senior partner turned barrister whose career mirrors recent changes in legal services, has set up an alternative business structure – which he intends to operate on a ‘John Lewis’ profit share model.
Professor John attacks “unhelpful” BSB complaints report
A report for the Bar Standards Board, which concluded that the regulator handled cases involving ethnic minority barristers in a “transparent, consistent and fair” way, has been strongly attacked by equality expert Professor Gus John.
Barrister to appeal against BSB discrimination ruling
A barrister who claims she is the victim of racial discrimination by the Bar Standards Board has said she will appeal against last week’s High Court ruling that she has an arguable case but that it was brought out of time.
High Court: barrister has arguable discrimination claim against BSB
A black barrister had an arguable case that she was indirectly discriminated against by the Bar Standards Board through its disciplinary procedures, the High Court ruled yesterday.
QASA barristers in last throw of the dice with appeal to Supreme Court
Four criminal law barristers have appealed to the Supreme Court in their judicial review of the Quality Assurance Scheme for Advocates (QASA) – despite a costs bill which already totals £215,000, Legal Futures can reveal.
Appeal court throws out attack on Bar disciplinary tribunals over time-expired members
Anomalies in the appointment of panel members to Bar disciplinary tribunals between 2006 and 2011 did not affect the validity of their findings, the Court of Appeal decided yesterday.
BSB turns to CILEx to train non-legal staff
The Bar Standards Board has turned to the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives to provide training to members of staff without legal qualifications. Meanwhile, ILEX Professional Standards – CILEx’s regulatory arm – is on the hunt for a new chief executive.
‘Named and shamed’ barrister hits back at “misleading” ombudsman
The first lawyer to be ‘named and shamed’ by the Legal Ombudsman (LeO) for a series of complaints has argued that he is only “trying to adapt to new market forces”.
New Bar leader: young barristers should take place of paid McKenzie Friends
Junior barristers should get themselves accredited for public access work and act in cases where people are currently relying on paid McKenzie Friends, the new Bar Council chairman has said as he promised to promote direct access to the public.
Blog
Modern search is about ‘knowledge’ retrieval
Search has long been understood as data retrieval – the ability to call back information and check a box on finding something. Legal professionals today need more of a 360-degree view on a matter.
Lessons from Sir Keir Starmer for SRA chief
The proposed 29%, or £25m, increase in the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s budget announced last week should really come as no great surprise.
The hidden risks in client account reconciliations
The client account reconciliation process will be second nature to most people in legal finance – and so is also a potential area for a problem to be undetected until it becomes serious.
